www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Fantastic stuff there Bugboy - those DGFs really pop out of the screen they're that bright! Lush Whitters as well and the first shot is a cracker - always good to see a butterfly from a different perspective Hope you're having similar luck with the Brostreaks

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel, with so many WLH at this site, it’s easy to grab a few unusual angles . Just the one day with the Brown Hairstreaks so far but I got lucky. I've run out of holidays so I'm having to cross all my appendages in the hope my days off aren't as wet as the rest of the summer so far... results are 'mixed' so far !
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July 2021

Monday the 5th was quite a long day, the long wait for some summer weather at last seemed to come to fruition and about time too, my holiday was fast running out! Obviously it was off to Bookham to see if any Emperors would descend for me now that I knew they were on the wing! Well there were many eye’s looking and much walking along the main paths with plenty of butterfly life all morning but during that time, not a sign of HIM was seen by anyone.

Most of the White Admirals were now suffering from wear and tear but there was a ‘Black’ Admiral who posed momentarily for me, unfortunately I had autofocus fail so it’s far from the sharpest image. There were still a few decent looking ones to be found in amongst all the tatters. There were also still plenty of fresh-looking Silver-washed Fritillaries, including my first females of the year and the Hutchinsoni Commas were putting on a decent show too. One of the new female SWF had just been found by a male and the pair had yet to fly up into the tree-tops, providing me with an unusual view of a mating pair. They didn’t stay low down for long though and I watched them ascend into an Oak where they basked and attracted the attention of several passing males. It wasn’t wall to wall blue sky and some periods of cloud cover meant I was able to get close to a few browns and skippers. Morning came and went and with a distinct lack of Emperor groundings it looked like my only chance of getting a sighting was to hang around the master tree’s and get a crick in my neck. There was a bit of intermittent activity with at least three chasing each other between gaps in the canopy but non settled in within sight and after it clouded over the activity rapidly drew to a close. I’m not one for hanging around for long periods of time in a single spot in the hope of seeing something, I get itchy feet and have to wander. During my afternoon wanderings I checked on the Orange-tip cats I’d been keeping an eye on. Just two remained on the foodplant now, one of whom had decided that wondering off into the undergrowth to pupate was way too much effort! I had a few more sightings of my favourite Damselfly, the White-legged, I really have never see so many as I have this year, warm wet summers must be their thing! I returned to the master trees when the radar on my phone app suggested a large gap in the clouds was on the way and found I had the place to myself. Where earlier three males were active there was but one, but at least he settled within reach of my camera… just! After it clouded over again, I wandered off once more. There was still loads of activity and being a day when the there was for once no threat of rain I was eager to make the most of things. Skippers and browns were plentiful and I finished the day with a Ringlet lanceolata ab. I’d tried to photograph in the morning but only managed the upperside.

Cracking set of images there Bugboy from Black Admirals to actual images of Purple Emperors (saw a few, zero photos ) however the most worthy is that ab.lanceolata - cracking looking ab that, wish I'd seen one

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Great collection there - love the ringlet ab

A nice collection of summer butterflies there Bugboy, topped off with that cracking Ringlet ab. at the end

Cheers,

Neil.

Nice selection, Paul, especially the abs. In fact, that White Admiral is doing a passable impersonation of a Ringlet...albeit without those attractive lanceolated ocelli.

Thanks for all the comments , It’s actually of some comfort that I wasn’t the only Emperor hunter to fail to get a grounding this year Wurzel!

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July 2021

Tuesday the 6th was a return to normality, the short lived (24 hour) window in wind, rain and other unpleasantness had ended so no point going anywhere that wasn’t very local. I did risk a walk around Epping Forest, hoping to dodge the passing heavy, thundery showers. I actually spent a significant portion sheltering under trees, hoping the rumbling stayed in the distance as the heavens opened above me. In-between the rain though were decent sunny spells and some good photo opportunities to make the risk of a thorough drenching worth it. Ringlets were commonplace and included a couple of noteworthy individuals, the first being this one which I think qualifies as a pathological ab. The second caught the sun in such a way it reflected colours brighter than any ringlet I’ve ever seen, quite stunning! Elsewhere a Large and Green-veined White sat for me. Some hutchinsoni Commas grabbed some rays when time allowed and Small and Large Skippers and the odd Meadow Brown completed the Lepidoptera selection for the day

Lovely set of images Bugboy - that first Ringlet at first glance looks a bit like a 'Zebra Longwing' at first glance

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel, perhaps a trip to specsavers is on the cards

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July 2021

Wednesday the 7th was yet another dreary day, the heavy, blustery showers just replaced with leaden grey skies and occasional mizzle and drizzle. Nevertheless the temperature seemed to be holding just enough for some activity. I spent the morning at Bookham where the White Admirals and Silver-washed Fritillaries were mostly lazing around or taking a leisurely breakfast. There were joined by a few Satyrids and Skippers and shortly before leaving a handsome Comma. I was also joined by Millerd and before leaving arranged to be picked up by him the following day for a trip to Chiddingfold, a day that would turn into quite a epic trip around Surrey

July 2021

Thursday the 8th was an early start, I was meeting Millerd at Staines at 7.30 for a morning hunt at Chiddingfold for you know who. Despite the early start we still managed to find some traffic, ironically getting stuck in it next to this sign . Anyway we finally arrived, finding Trevor already parked at the triangle. The morning progressed and a few more familiar faces arrived including John W. and a second sighting for me of the season of Philzoid, but despite much gazing at the treetops and the disappointingly grey skies, H.I.M didn’t make an appearance (apart from one possible brief sighting in the treetops by Trevor). Although not a great deal was on the wing, the cloud cover did make what was around somewhat more approachable. A female White Admiral, that had taken a particular liking to some Hogweed near where we’d set up camp, garnered much attention. After a few hours which included 10 minutes of Dave, Philzoid and I huddled under a tree as a particularly heavy rainstorm passed overhead (I believe Trevor was less fortunate and went home drenched), Dave and I decided to move on and take in another site or two.

Yes I remember that day well, and have similar images of that very co-operative
White Admiral and the male Silver Washed Frit on the ragwort.
In particular I remember the thorough soaking on the way back to the car.
It did nothing for my humour when I was told that there was no rain at the
Botany Bay end of the forest at the time.

Hopefully the sallow leaves will remain succulent with low Winter predation
and we can look forward to a proper Emperor season in 2022.

Take care and stay well,
Trevor.

That shower did seem very localised Trevor, the triangle did seem rather dry on the way back to the car! Agreed about the 2022 Emperor season.

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July 2021

Thursday the 8th part 2. The second stop off of the day was at Denbies Hillside, hoping to catch sight of the first Chalkhills of the year for both of us. Numbers wise, Marbled White dominated the hillside with still plenty of fresh individuals littering the slope. As we walked along the slope the first Chalkhill flew past me and got whisked away in the Denbies stiff breeze.

The third species of note were Dark Green Fritillaries. There were several males, all looking a little past their best, but they were all eclipsed by a particularly beautiful dusky female. The slow wander back up the slope was made even slower when we found a Chalkhill that was willing to pose for us A second one was regretting an addiction to Orchid flowers. We still had time to visit another site before heading home and Box Hill seemed like the obvious choice, being only a short drive away.

July 2021

Thursday the 8th part 3. We spent about an hour and half at Box Hill where two species dominated. Dark Green Fritillaries were still out in good numbers in varying degrees of wear and tear, some still near mint suggesting the emergence here had yet to finish. The second species were the Marbled White which must have numbered in the hundreds in the small area at the top we stayed. In the mostly cloudy but warm early evening they were sat around like squadrons awaiting the word to take to the air en-mass. Despite yet another day where the Big Purple One decided to hide away it was a thoroughly enjoyable day, thanks for the lift Dave .

No problem, Buggy! It was a terrific (and very sociable) day out, despite the downpour and lack of an Imperial presence. I think that female DGF had to be the highlight for me - she was a real stunner, and that's a great shot. You did better with the Marbled Whites at Box Hill than me too!

Cheers,

Dave

Cracking White Admiral shots Bugboy - I managed a grand total of 4 shots of them this year
"Thanks Wurzel, perhaps a trip to specsavers is on the cards" Funnily enough I've got my annual check up at that very opticians in a few weeks - though after some very successful Hairstreak spotting recently I don't think I need to attend

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

I agree Dave, the DGF was indeed a real stunner and behaved impeccably for us too
Thanks Wurzel, I’m still surprised you’ve seen so few considering how well they’ve done round my way. I’m way overdue an optician’s check-up and if I plan to go Hairstreak egg hunting over the winter, I really should sort that out. On the other hand I think I impressed millerd with my Hairstreak spotting at Bookham on Sunday.

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July 2021

Friday the 9th. My three week break from work was quickly coming to an end and I was still searching for an Emperor on the ground, or anywhere that wasn’t in the treetops tbh. After Chiddingfold failed to come up with the goods it was back to my routine and Bookham. The weather was certainly more Emperor friendly than the previous day but ultimately I was left wanting, just the briefest of sighting near one of the master trees. There was as always plenty about to point my camera at, the White Admirals were now starting to look rather worn but fresh Gatekeepers were now out, my first of the year. SWF were still in reasonable nick, as were some of the female Meadow Browns and Ringlets and hutchinsoni Commas were still brightening up the place. I did manage a bit of purple, unfortunately it was a deceased purple prince, clutching his detached head as though enacting some weird lepidopteran Shakespearian tragedy. I checked on the Orange-tip I’ve been keeping an eye on, four days ago he was all ready for his final moult having chosen his last meal as an appropriate place to pupate. Today he was a perfectly formed green pupae. I made the move to leave after one last desperate, fruitless gaze up into the Oak treetops. On the way back through the ‘plains’, the name given to the open scrub on the western side of the site that backs onto the train station, I disturbed a couple of clouds of Skippers mudpuddling. I’ve seen the odd one or two doing this but never en-mass, not quite at the level you’d find on the continent but still interesting to see. From what I could see they were all male Small Skippers. Rather than going straight home I wanted to have a wander around Ashtead and Epsom Commons which are just a couple of stops down the line. It was whilst awaiting my train that I saw something that caused me to turn the air slightly blue. Idly looking through facebook, the opening post on my feed read ‘just now at Bookham’ accompanied by a selection of pictures of H.I.M crawling over someone’s hand! The time stamp was about 45 minutes ago. Where was I 45 minutes ago….. getting a crick in my neck under a master tree !

As if to reflect my mood at that nugget of info, the weather turned decidedly cloudy and my wander around Ashtead and Epsom was a relatively butterfly free zone, Skippers and Browns were all I came across, one Ringlet having a slight hint of lanceolata about it.

That Skipper behaviour is fascinating - one species I don't think I've seen do it, let alone in a group. I wonder why we don't see this kind of group behaviour all that often in the UK - we have our share of muddy puddles after all!

Hearing about that grounded Emperor after the event must have been very galling - the sort of thing you'd really prefer not to know...

Cheers,

Dave

They used to have (may still do, I don't do much birding now) a name for that experience Bugboy, been 'gripped' I think it was - always the way with His Nibbs . This year at Bentley I thought I was onto a winner as I teamed up with someone that hadn't seen His Nibbs before. No joy but then on Facebook later there are his shots of a grounded Emperor about an hour after I left

There must have been something in the air during the second week of July as I witnessed similar Skipper behaviour a few days after you

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

I’ve come across the odd Small Skipper mudpuddling at Chobham Common in previous years Dave, but like I said, not in the numbers I saw this year and interestingly it wasn’t an isolated event. There were at least 3 widely separated muddy patches and I found them on my next visit to Bookham, when I was more prepared and was able to get better pics of the groups. Yes ‘galling’ is one word… (I can laugh now!)
Oh I was definitely ‘gripped’ that day Wurzel, and it wasn’t the last time…

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July 2021

Saturday the 10th, a change of tack and target species. I’d missed out on Lulworth Skippers the past two years and so far, rubbish weather had put paid to any plans to visit Dorset this year. I’d come to the conclusion though, that waiting for perfect weather this year was a pointless task, so I’d booked my train ticket earlier in the week and watched with now familiar dismay the forecasts get progressively worse as the weekend approached. I still wasn’t sure what I would end up in the middle of at Durlston when I left Saturday morning. There was a bit of a biblical deluge going on when I arrived at Poole mid-morning but all weather forecasts seem to suggest that things would brighten up come the afternoon in this part of the world. The bus service from Poole to Swanage takes a rather scenic route, in every sense of the phrase, but passing Corfe Castle I caught the faintest glimmer of the sun. The timing was near perfect; arriving at Swanage the rain stopped and the sun was just starting to break through thinning cloud and for the rest of the afternoon I was graced with dry and warm(ish) conditions .

All three Thymelicus Skippers were present but Lulworths easily outnumbered the other two… or maybe I was just focusing on them and ignoring the other two. Either way, seeing all three together does help to show just how different the Lulworth looks in the field, particularly in flight when it’s darker olive complexion really does stand out. There was quite a variety in the condition with aged, haggard individuals mixing it up with freshly minted ones. There wasn’t too much else on the wing, but a solitary Grayling did distract me for a while, it being my first of the year. A few Marbled White, a couple of Gatekeeper and a handful of Meadow Brown along with the customary unidentified White flybys were also noted but there was Just a single fleeting sight of a DGF. A rather lovely female Common Blue provided a welcome change in the colour theme but the most surprising sighting were a couple of ancient Small Blue, I presume remains of the first brood. There was also a Small Heath who was HUGE (by small heath standards). Had I been in Scotland I would have seriously been questioning her true identity. The bird life along here is always worth paying attention to (if you’re into that kind of thing that is). I caught a brief sighting of a Peregrine, being scared off by it’s arch nemesis the Raven, actually a couple.Here they are picking over what might have been the remains of Peregrine kills. Guillemots and Razorbills were seen just offshore in little flotillas and some Shags were having a ‘heated discussion’ on the rocks at the base of the cliff. On the slopes a family of Stonechat were making a right old racket, mum and dad noisily trying to distract my attention away from the fledglings. Dad also demonstrated his hovering talents All in all a particularly successful day considering the deluge that it had begun with

Cracking place Durlston - I've picked up loads of bird lifers there - the best being my first male Pied Flycatcher and a my first British Red-backed Shrike It's none too shabby for butterflies either Cracking set of Lulworths - there is a world of difference between fresh males (almost a matte mustard sometimes) and the worn ones - my favourite butterfly obviously

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel